Annual Hospital and Ambulatory Surgery Center Healthcare-Associated Infections Reports Released

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) has released the 2021 Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Hospital Report and the 2021 Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Report. Since 2009, hospitals have been required by New Hampshire law to identify, track and report certain HAI to the DHHS. These reports use data provided by the 33 hospitals and 30 ASCs licensed in the State to provide the public with the latest annual data regarding the progress made toward preventing infections acquired during patient care. 

“New Hampshire healthcare facilities continue their steadfast commitment to protect their patients from infections,” said DPHS Director Patricia Tilley. “This annual report aims to highlight their improvements while identifying opportunities for growth. Data from this report show there were less infections than predicted in New Hampshire hospitals based on national data, and ambulatory surgery centers have fewer infections.” 

For hospitals, data on central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections following certain heart, colon, abdominal hysterectomy, and knee surgical procedures are included. For ASCs, the report contains data on surgical site infections following certain breast, hernia, and open reduction of fracture surgical procedures. 

The reports also provide data on hospital and ASC compliance with safety measures that help protect patients from healthcare-associated infections. These data include appropriate use of antimicrobials during surgical procedures in ASC, and influenza vaccination coverage among hospital and ASC healthcare personnel.

Hospitals: 

The hospital 2021 report shows that overall, New Hampshire had fewer HAIs than predicted based on national data, and these data were statistically significant. A total of 157 HAI were reported by hospitals in 2021, compared to 131 in 2020.  The overall observed number of HAIs in New Hampshire hospitals was 39.4% fewer than predicted based on national data; there were 8.0% fewer central line-associated bloodstream infections, 2.2% fewer catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and 33.5% fewer surgical site infections. Statewide the overall healthcare personnel influenza vaccination rate was 89.2%, which nearly met the Healthy People 2020 goal and is a decrease from the prior year (95.2%).

Ambulatory Surgery Centers: 

Overall, statewide infection rates in ASCs were lower in comparison with national data. ASCs reports zero surgical site infections for 2021 and 2020. The overall observed number of surgical site infections in New Hampshire ASCs was 100% less than predicted based on national data. Statewide, ASC adherence to timing guidelines to prevent surgical site infection with IV antibiotics (or intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis) was 97.0%, a slight decrease from last year’s rate of 97.6%. The overall healthcare personnel influenza vaccination coverage was 89.7%, which was slightly increased compared to the prior year, when the vaccination rate was 88.0%.  

The 2021 HAI report and past reports can be accessed at: Healthcare-Associated Infections | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (nh.gov). For more information about the Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program, please call 603-271-4496 or email DHHS.HAI.Program@dhhs.nh.gov.